‘Complete domination’ – Fans hail Australia as they win home Test series against South Africa after 17 years
The enthralling second Test between Australia and South Africa reached its culmination on Day 4 as Australia bundled out the Proteas for 204 and won the Test by an innings and 182 runs. With this win, Australia took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series and further strengthened their position on the top position in the World Test Championship points table.
Day 4 began with South Africa resuming their innings on 15/1. After losing their captain Dean Elgar late on Day 3, Sarel Erwee and Theunis de Bruyn added 47 runs for the second wicket. However, their partnership didn’t continue for long as Mitchell Starc removed Erwee for 21. De Bruyn also followed him quickly as he got dismissed by Scott Boland leaving South Africa at 57/3.
The Proteas were in all sorts of trouble after Khaya Zondo got run out on 1 leaving them at 65/4. Temba Bavuma and Kyle Verreynne tried to bring some life back into the innings with their 63-run stand for the fifth wicket. But Verreynne’s wicket on the score of 128 meant that South Africa were staring down the barrel.
Temba Bavuma was the lone warrior in the innings who scored 65 to help his team cross the 200-run mark. The tail couldn’t make a significant contribution as South Africa could only manage 204 in their second innings. Nathan Lyon was the pick of the bowlers from Australia who picked up 3/58 while Scott Boland picked 2/49. David Warner was awarded ‘Player of the Match’ for his magnificent double hundred in his 100th Test.
South Africa slip to third position in WTC points table
After this win, Australia have a points percentage of 78.57 while South Africa have slipped to the third position having a points percentage of 53.93. South Africa will look to win all of their remaining games to stay in contention for a spot in the WTC final. The third Test between the two sides will begin on 4th January in Sydney.
This is Australia’s first Test series win over South Africa at home in 17 years with the last one coming way back in 2005.
After this, South Africa have a two-match home Test series against the West Indies remaining in the current WTC cycle. They will need to win all of their remaining matches to keep their hopes of reaching the final alive.
Meanwhile, Twitter was abuzz with reactions on Australia’s victory. Here are some of the Tweets:
https://twitter.com/AhmadCricket_7/status/1608333430688718848?s=20&t=FKjFrfiWM8aACMGlz-yNSw
Poor Proteas😒 #AUSvsSA
— BEN (@Cricalltime999) December 29, 2022
Why is it always with Temba Bavuma? 😢#AUSvsSA pic.twitter.com/IoZH2x4aaB
— Sambit Mishra (@SambyMish) December 29, 2022
Australia has been a beast in this year's WTC Cycle. Another incredible win on South Africa!#AUSvsSA #Australia #Cricket
— MCG (Meme Cricket Ground) (@DoluMolu4) December 29, 2022
#AUSvsSA https://t.co/Xa7kBmLqwU pic.twitter.com/qjL2VOQci3
— dwarf planet 🇦🇺 (@ceresorcus) December 29, 2022
Well its gonna be IND and AUS who will compete each other at the oval for #WTC23 and its fair enough. I expect AUS to be the champions.#AUSvsSA
— Dinesh Dinu (@dinesh_offl_06) December 29, 2022
Aussie cleans SA in Boxing day Test at the G. Clean sweep by oz at SCG wud do good for India.#AUSvsSA https://t.co/UHGCMN9E8G
— Mani Viratfied 👑💙 (@MViratfied) December 29, 2022
https://twitter.com/iarjun_/status/1608332949665255431?s=20&t=FKjFrfiWM8aACMGlz-yNSw
A strong statement by Australia#AUSvsSA #AUSvsRSA pic.twitter.com/hoJbByWhQ0
— Cricket journey (@sonutiw67668868) December 29, 2022
South Africa are making their qualification to the WTC final more difficult.
South Africa lost 2 test matches and also lost the series against Australia.
Australia strengthened their top position.#AUSvsSA #australiacricket #worldtestchampionship#southafricacricket— surna sravan kumar (@surnasravan123) December 29, 2022
https://twitter.com/SunnyKu25643186/status/1608332536966696960?s=20&t=FKjFrfiWM8aACMGlz-yNSw
1.Aus demolishing SA who finally crossed 200.
2.Smith,Warner coming good.
3.Starc reminding us of peak Starc
4.Skill never in question but Green showed character
5.Smith the leggie finishing off with the ball #Warnie350
6. Boland
It's been a great 6 days of cricket! #AUSvsSA— Arafat Yasser Khan (@Khandalf) December 29, 2022
NGL,love how Aus invites test playing nations and humiliates them just like IND. Can't wait for Bgt already, #AUSvsSA
— Rishabh 🇮🇳 (@Rishindia13) December 29, 2022
That's a great win @CricketAus @patcummins30 Captaincy 👌👌 #AUSvsSA
— Subbu Andhukuri 🇮🇳 (@SubbuAndhukuri) December 29, 2022
Well played @CricketAus, complete domination over #SouthAfrica. Come on and make it 3-0 👍😊#AUSvsSA #WTC23 #Australia
— Ankit Tripathi🇮🇳💯 Follow Back (@ankit_tr97) December 29, 2022
Australia have beaten South Africa at home after 17 long years! Phew!
This series win should be celebrated very well!! 🍻 #AUSvsSA— Guardiola| SRH 277 NATION (@jajajajaja_kru) December 29, 2022
